Auburn graduate teaching assistant contributes to mathematics book chapter

Kim Holman, a graduate teaching assistant in Auburn University’s College of Sciences and Mathematics’ Department of Mathematics and Statistics, recently contributed the first chapter of the book “Practices and Policies: Advocating for Students of Color in Mathematics.”

The book is the second in a series of texts written by Pamela E. Harris of Williams College and Aris Winger of Georgia Gwinnett College about advocating for students of color in a mathematics classroom. Holman says her journey of self-reflection began when she attended a webinar series presented by Harris and Winger titled “Advocating for Students of Color: There’s More You Can Do.”

“Instinctively, most of us think of ourselves as good people, and I began this webinar series believing that I was doing great but would learn how to be fantastic, but I couldn’t have been more wrong,” Holman said. “I quickly embraced Drs. Harris’ and Winger’s assertion that we can do 5% every day to advocate for our students of color.”

Holman’s contribution is an essay about her experience as an instructor and a self-reflection on the ways she had been negatively impacting students of color in her classroom.

“During my time of self-reflection after the webinar series began, I adopted the mantra of ‘giving grace,’” Holman said. “There are several examples of this in my chapter, most notably a large amount of flexibility.”

She believes that, while the book centers on the mathematics classroom, the discussions are relevant to all involved in education across all disciplines. Holman finds that by “giving grace,” she can have a profound impact on the educational experience of her students.

“As a graduate student, I know the realities of student life and the things I ask of my professors, and I don’t see any reason not to extend those to my students,” Holman said. “I am more conscientious now and grow more so each day in meeting any and all of my students where they are and teaching them what they need to know to be successful and achieve their personal goals for my course."

The book is available for purchase here.